GM says Warriors fans shouldn't expect big deal

NOTES

Published 4:00 am, Monday, February 21, 2011

The Carmelo Anthony drama finally might reach a conclusion today, but it doesn't sound like that will open the door for the Warriors to make a significant move at Thursday's trade deadline.

Some believe that trade talks will intensify onceAnthonyre-signs with Denver or is dealt to New York or New Jersey, but Warriors general manager Larry Rileydoesn't see that happening with his franchise.

"There are potentially only three or four teams involved (in the Anthony deal), so there are plenty of other teams with which to deal, and they aren't dealing," Riley said. "I don't think teams are sitting around, waiting on the Carmelo Anthony deal. A lot of teams have positioned themselves, and would like to stick there because of the uncertainty with the collective bargaining agreement."

The Warriors are considering sending the expiring contracts of Brandan Wrightand Dan Gadzuricto New Jersey for Troy Murphy's expiring deal and a second-round pick. If they choose to do that deal, the Warriors then would ship Murphy elsewhere for another pick or buy out his $12 million deal, according to a team source.

League sources said the Warriors have inquired about big men Chris Kaman, Nene, LaMarcus Aldridge and JaVale McGee, but they have come up empty. The same is true for talks regarding Danny Grangerand Andre Iguodala, sources said.

So Riley has shifted his focus. Because he doesn't think he can get a big man or a "difference-maker," Riley said he has narrowed talks down to four or five teams. He is looking to acquire draft picks or make minor moves that upgrade the bench.

"From the perspective of the fan, what we do will not seem to have great significance, but there are some small things that we could do that would move us in the right direction," Riley said. "It's very possible that we won't do anything, because there is no reason to tear up what we've built. We understand that we need to get better, but I don't want to go backward at any point to do it."

Inactivity seems like it would go over just fine in the locker room. The Warriors have won seven of their past nine games, including six straight over winning teams, to move into 11th place in the Western Conference. They sit four games back of Utah and Memphis for the eighth and final playoff spot.

"Hopefully, we can stay together, keep moving the right direction, and win some championships together," swingman Dorell Wright said.

Point guard Stephen Curry said, "I'm not involved in that decision, but we're playing such good basketball and have a chemistry together, so I'd like to see us continue to move in the right direction. If nothing happens, I think we're in good shape."